The oreegin o Nicosia is uncertain; Engio, Erbita an Imachara are the three ceeties o antiquity wi which historians hae attemptit tae identifee Nicosia wi, but thare is nae evidence that the mentioned touns are in fact Nicosia. The present name o the toun suggests Greek oreegins: it is believit tae get its name frae Saunt Nicholas (Νίκου Οίκος). Anither theory suggests its a derivative o the Greek sayin "Ceety o Victory" (Νίκης Οίκος). The toun is believit tae staund on the steid o the auncient Engynum. The modren toun wis foondit bi Byzantine colonists in 6th century. It expandit unner the Arab domination an later unner that o the Normans, who settled numerous immigrants frae Lombardy an Piemont, cried "Lombards", givin rise tae the Gallo-Italic dialect still spoken in the toun an surroonds. Keeng William II made Nicosia a ryal ceety. It played a important strategic role, favoured bi its position haufwey atween Palermo an Messina. It aften gave hospitality tae important figurs, includin Emperor Charles V.

The Cathedral, built in 14t century ower a pre-existin Norman edifice, is dedicatit tae St. Nicholas. The façade haes a notewirthy 15t-century portal, while the interior hooses a pentin bi Jusepe de Ribera. The campanile is frae the 13t century.